Oh Craig.

There's a very interesting discussion going on over at Feministing.org about the marketing campaign for Craig Brewer's latest film, Black Snake Moan. I saw Brewer's two previous cinematic efforts and, for the most part, liked them. I haven't seen Black Snake Moan, as it hasn't yet been released in theatres, but I have to wonder why he continues to make films that exoticize the citizens of the South, the Deep South, in particular.

I guess a lot of male directors pick their "theme" and run with it: Spielberg and his "daddy" issues, Scorcese and his hyper-masculine violence, and Allen and his numerous neuroses. What's odd is that these celebrated directors get all the financing in Hollywood and keep churning out misogynist film after misogynist film.

What really saddens me is Christina Ricci. She was once an indie darling, an actor who was not only a good performer, but a unique individual whose talents brought interest to the big screen. Now she looks just like every other withering brittle-haired starlet. I'm not holding out much hope that this particular role will do anything besides confirm the long-held backwards notions of our society that abused women are damaged goods, only worthy of further abuse.

Can somebody please annouce that we're in the 21st century?!